Jammu & Kashmir: ‘Making Vande Mataram Mandatory for Muslims Is Un-Islamic,’ Says Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema
Religious body urges the J&K government to withdraw the order requiring compulsory participation in Vande Mataram programmes across schools.
Srinagar: The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) has expressed deep concern over a government order making the singing of “Vande Mataram” mandatory in Jammu and Kashmir’s schools, calling it an “un-Islamic act” and urging the authorities to immediately withdraw it.
The MMU, an umbrella body of various religious organisations headed by Mirwaiz Dr. Umar Farooq, criticised the directive issued by the Department of Culture that instructs schools to organise cultural and musical programmes across the Union Territory to mark 150 years of the Vande Mataram song. The order also requires mandatory participation of all students and staff.
In a statement, the MMU said that reciting or singing Vande Mataram goes against Islamic beliefs, as the song contains expressions of reverence and worship incompatible with the core Islamic principle of Tawheed — the oneness of Allah. “Islam does not allow any act or statement that involves worship or glorification of anyone other than Allah,” the body stated.
The organisation clarified that Muslims have deep love and loyalty for their homeland and consider serving it a religious duty. However, such devotion should be shown through service, compassion, and contribution to society — not through acts that conflict with their faith. “Forcing Muslim students or institutions to take part in religiously objectionable activities is unjust and unacceptable,” the statement said.
The MMU further alleged that this move appears to be “a deliberate attempt to impose the RSS-driven Hindutva ideology on the Muslim-majority region under the guise of cultural harmony,” warning that such steps threaten real unity and diversity.
The group appealed to both the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to immediately revoke the “coercive and controversial” order, which has caused “widespread anxiety and distress” among Muslims in the region. It also announced plans to convene a meeting soon to discuss the situation and decide on a future course of action.
